A sleepy truck driver caused an fiery accident that shut down the highway for hours.
The accident occurred at 5:40 am on Wednesday, on Interstate 87, south of Exit 15 in Saratoga Springs, New York.
According to New York State Police, the truck, driven by Anthony J. Front, of Connecticut, hit a curb and then a guard rail and then came to a stop in the ditch. Shortly after coming to rest in the ditch, the truck caught on fire. The blaze caused damage to the Lake Avenue Bridge overpass. Some smoke from the accident could be seen from miles away.
#BREAKING All north bound lanes of 87 between exits 14 and 15 are closed due to a truck fire. Stay with @WTEN throughout the morning for the latest. #wakeupwith10 pic.twitter.com/AzsM1qKNYF
— Ryan Peterson (@rpetersonWTEN) July 15, 2020
The accident shut down the highway for hours.
Saratoga Springs police said a tractor trailer exploded – yes, they described it as an explosion – on the Northway this morning. The highway and Lake Avenue/Route 29 are closed. Smoke could be seen from Saratoga Race Course, @SKIPSCAM reports. https://t.co/CtKs4bbj1r
— Mike Goodwin (@goodwintu) July 15, 2020
The truck driver, who was not injured in the crash, told authorities that he had briefly fallen asleep prior to the accident.